Wild: Elk River's Nate Prosser hopes to make more X memories

Minnesota Wild defenseman Nate Prosser is tripped up with Colorado Avalanche right wing Marc-Andre Cliche in the third period as the Minnesota Wild play the Colorado Avalanche in Game 3 of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul on Monday, April 21, 2014. Wild won 1-0 in overtime. (Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin)

The Elk River native, who was set to sit for the second time this series Friday night when the Wild played the Chicago Blackhawks, hopes new moments can still be created at home with free agency looming this offseason.

Prosser's X experiences started in high school, when his Elks played in the 2002 boys state hockey tournament, then moved on to college, when he played in the WCHA Final Five for Colorado College in 2008.

Two years later, the defenseman debuted at the X against the Dallas Stars.

"Walking out of the tunnel and seeing my family and friends in the seats, that was exciting," Prosser said. "I keep saying 'exciting;' that's the word that is on my mind when we are talking about these kinds of memories."

With unrestricted free agency looming, and sitting on two healthy scratches, Prosser isn't certain he'll call the X home next season. He set career highs for games played (53) and penalty minutes (58) this season, and only six players on the postseason roster have been with the team longer, dating to the 2009-10 season. Prosser has played 126 regular-season games in a Wild sweater.

"It's tough to look at that right now," he said. "We are in the playoffs, but obviously it's in the back of your mind. You don't know what is going to happen.

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After playing at least 10 minutes in all nine playoff games, Prosser was a healthy scratch for Tuesday's 4-0 victory in Game 3 and was set to sit again Friday, replaced on the blue line by veteran Keith Ballard.

Prosser's turnover in the Wild's offensive zone in Game 2 led to Jonathan Toews' opening goal in a 4-1 Chicago win Sunday at United Center.

"It was an unfortunate play," Prosser said. "The puck is out in front of me, and it bounced a little bit. I got in a battle, but I have to get it in deep."

Prosser didn't know he would get a chance to play for the hometown NHL franchise when he went away to play for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL between high school and college.

"Knowing that my hometown team was there and interested was great for me and my family," he said.

Prosser signed with the Wild as a free agent in 2010 and in 2012 earned a two-year contract extension that pays him about $825,000 a year. His wife, Brittani, has told him to reflect on the rare chance to play for a franchise in his back yard.

"My wife tells me to take a step back and take a look at what you've done, and where you're at, and playing for the hometown team like this," he said.

Ballard, a former Gophers player from Baudette,Minn., played eight seasons with Phoenix, Florida and Vancouver before coming home to Minnesota.

"I've had the opportunity in other places to play in big games and to play in playoff games," Ballard said. "But to do it at home in front of this crowd, and with some family around, it's pretty fun."

Prosser, who played 17 regular-season games a season ago and was left off the playoff roster, knows that patience is key.

"You never know what can happen in a game and just have to be ready for Game 5 (Sunday in Chicago)," he said.